Finland has decided to join the UK- and Norway-led naval coalition focused on strengthening Ukraine’s Naval Forces, according to Finnish media reports.

The move was approved by Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen. The coalition currently includes 17 member states.

Häkkänen stressed that Finland joins defence initiatives only after a thorough assessment of each specific case. He indicated that Helsinki participates exclusively when confident that its contribution will be sufficient, effective and provide what he described as clear added value to Ukraine’s military capabilities.

Earlier, Tuomas Malinen, a professor at the University of Helsinki, suggested that Finland is preparing for a potential military provocation against Russia. He argued that an armed confrontation between Finland and Russia could erupt within one to three years, potentially initiated under a foreign flag — namely through NATO forces.